The classic novel, “To kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee is a captivating and profound novel that gives you an insight on racism in southern USA. The book has opened my eyes to the way humans are quick to judge and condemn each other based on their social class and race. The book offers a trip back to the 1930s where I can visualize the prejudice against African-Americans in Alabama. Throughout the book many passages and quotes stood out. The seven quotes I chose hold a heartfelt message of racism African-Americans face. They also represent the theme and symbols portrayed throughout the novel. From the many themes that occur in the novel, the one that stood out to me is racism towards African Americans.
At the end of the novel Scout states,
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“There’s only one type of folks. Folks” This stood out to me because sometimes as individuals we forget we all were born equal and human. No one should be categorized due to race or social class. We are all humans and should not be treated differently due to the colour of our skin. Another quote that caught my eye was when Lulu condemns Calpurnia by saying, “I wants to know why you bring white children to nigger church…” This quote was extremely important because I always believed that if an individual is a victim of racism, they will produce further hate and resentment for the whole race rather than the particular person.
This quote clearly demonstrates that by expressing Lulu emotions in a negative way when Scout and Jem visit an African-American church. This quote also connects to the overall theme of racism. During the trial Tom Robinson told Atticus that “if you was a nigger like me, you’d be scared.” This quote was very powerful because these types of conflicts still occur to this day. Till this day we see an unfair justice system in United States, where black are treated harshly by the police, as well as sometimes being falsely accused of a crime. Innocent African-Americans should not be held accountable because of their race but on evidence. Again this quote connects to the major theme of the novel racism. In the novel Atticus mentions, “When it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always win.” I chose this quote because I realize that many individuals choose one person word over …show more content…
another because of their superiority or character. The connection I made with this quote is how some parents believe one sibling over another due to their intelligence or personality. Atticus also mentions “you never know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them.” This statement was very significant because as human beings we let our first impression cloud our judgements towards an individual.
Citizens of Maycomb County are quick to spread rumors about Boo Radley and develop certain character traits for him. They act a very hostile when Boo Radley is brought up in a conversation. This quote connects the idea of the otherness due to Maycomb County citizens behaving a certain way towards Boo Radley. Before we judge an individual it is very crucial to see their point of view and understand their upbringing or way of living. In the novel, Atticus gives a speech saying“you know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negros lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women- black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men” This quote is crucial because it is an individual’s character that predicts how terrible they are, not the race. I choose this quote due to the negative speculation attached to Islamic people within politics and society. All Muslims are terrorists or every Muslim believes in honor killings etc. These believe should not be attached to the whole race and religion but just the individual. The last and most powerful quote of the
novel to me was “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy “they don’t eat up peoples gardens, nest cornibs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mocking bird.” Mockingbirds are used as a symbol to represent something innocent and gracious should not be killed or treated unfairly. People like Tom Robinson are genial human beings that go out their way to help others. It is morally wrong to hurt an innocent and pure man just like its wrong to kill an animal that brings nothing but joy into an individual life. To conclude, “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a powerful novel that demonstrated racism and prejudices African-Americans face in southern USA. Harper Lee has created a marvelous piece of literature that provides life lessons of humanity and morals everyone should learn.
In the 1930’s, turmoil has erupted in Maycomb, Alabama all because the young lady Mayella Ewell has accused African-American Tom Robinson of raping and sexually assaulting her. Yet, Mayella Ewell has no power because of her race, class, and gender. At the time, Maycomb, Alabama was at the peak of segregation against African-Americans. Mayella Ewell may be white, but that does not mean her class, gender, nor her race give her power.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a novel by Harper Lee, that teaches many themes, one of which being very important is courage. Many people think that courage is a man with a gun in his hand, but Lee’s definition is much different. She thinks that courage is when you know that you’re beaten before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what. The first quote I have to further explain this is early in the story when Atticus tells Jem and Scout about the court case he is handling. “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win” (Lee 101). Atticus knows he won’t win the court case, but he still tries his best and doesn’t falter whatsoever. Many people scrutinize him for defending a negro, but he ignores them like he should, and shows maturity and courage.
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is set in Alabama in the 1930s, and concerns itself primarily with the interrelated themes of prejudice and empathy. These themes are explored as the story follows Scout Finch as she learns lessons in empathy, ultimately rejecting prejudice. While all characters in Lee’s novel learn from their experiences, not all are able to grow in the same manner as Scout. The idea of a positive role model, typified by the character of Atticus Finch, and the ramifications of its absence, is a concept that Lee places much emphasis on. The isolated setting is also pivotal in the development of characters. Lee uses the contrast between characters that learn lessons in empathy and compassion, and characters that cling to the ideals of a small town, to explore factors that nurture or diminish prejudice.
As the American people’s standards and principles has evolved over time, it’s easy to forget the pain we’ve caused. However, this growth doesn’t excuse the racism and violence that thrived within our young country not even a century previous. This discrimination, based solely on an ideology that one’s race is superior to another, is what put many people of color in miserable places and situations we couldn’t even imagine today. It allowed many Caucasian individuals to inflict pain, through both physical and verbal attacks, and even take away African Americans ' God given rights. In an effort to expose upcoming generations to these mass amounts of prejudice and wrongdoing, Harper Lee 's classic novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, tells the story of
“Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird." A quote from the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. To Kill a Mockingbird depicts the hardships of growing up and seeing the world around you being controlled by prejudice and racism. Lee implies that innocence is not seen as the assumption that people are naturally good but is more of a mature perspective gained from facing immorality.
To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee sheds light upon the controversy of racism and justice in his classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. The notion of equality in accordance with the law and the pursuit of justice are hindered by racial discrimination. The essence of human nature is pondered. Are we inclined to be good or in the wrath of evil? The novel reflects on the contrasting nature of appearance versus reality.
Examples included Mrs. Dubose, Bob Ewell, and Miss Gates, all of whom were vicious, spiteful, venomous, and intolerant. Miss Gates said she hated Hitler, but was then unkind to black people. Bob Ewell spit in Atticus’ face because Atticus destroyed his credibility at the trial. Mrs. Dubose was taking her pain out on Jem and Scout, two young children, by yelling at them and insulting their father. Maycomb was an atrocious person, antagonistic and racist. Today, there are still places and people like Maycomb. Our society must attempt to be more thoughtful and help others. We can all make an effort to be like Atticus, Boo Radley, Miss Maudie, Jem, and Scout- kindhearted characters. This novel shows that there can be moral people in a cruel place, good in evil, but it also proves the opposite. All of humanity has a wicked and villainous side, with no exceptions. Life is full of love and compassion, corruption and hate, and there will always be another side of the spectrum- another version of the
“Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewell's shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”-Martin Luther King Jr. This quote shows how racism is like darkness and hate and love and light are the only way to drive racism out. The story takes place at the time of the great depression. Scout lives in a very racist and judgement city in the south. A black male is accused of raping a white woman. Scouts dad Atticus gets appointed to be the defendant's lawyer. Racism is an antagonist in To Kill A Mockingbird because the white people of Maycomb discriminate the blacks and make them feel lesser. The theme racism can be harmful to everyone is shown by many characters throughout the book.
a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but
The novel TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee has numerous accounts of racism and prejudice throughout the entire piece. The novel is set in the 1930's, a time when racism was very prevalent. Although bigotry and segregation were pointed in majority towards blacks, other accounts towards whites were also heard of, though not as commonly. There are acts that are so discreet that you almost don't catch them, but along with those, there are blatant acts of bigotry that would never occur in our time. Lee addresses many of these feelings in her novel.
Today, racism is a problematic situation that can break nation apart. Discrimination on one’s personal characteristics can sway a community's opinion greatly. Harper Lee was indulged in numerous racist encounters in her life, many of which transpire into her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. In the novel, one is seen as an animal when enduring the venom of racism. Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, racism leads to the dehumanization of both the victims and the infectors.
The book to ‘To kill a mocking-bird’ was written in the 1930’s and explores prejudice against black people. The book is portrayed through the eyes of two innocent children and shows the “irrationality of adult attitudes to race and class in the Deep South [of America] in the thirties. The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina of one mans struggle for justice.”
Even though extraordinary changes have been made in the past to achieve racial equality, America is still racist, especially in schools. In the novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” written by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch is criticized for defending a black man accused of raping a white woman. During the 1930s, the time this novel took place, America was a very segregated country. At the time when Harper Lee wrote "To Kill a Mockingbird," America was fighting a civil rights movement. The events of racism in “To Kill a Mockingbird” reflect the time period.
In 1960, a novel was written to outline injustices and racism against those who were innocent, though unfairly judged because of social expectations and prejudiced beliefs. This novel not only presented these issues, but is also considered a revolutionary piece of literature, still being read by many people today, more than 50 years later. The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, has caused some controversy about the intents of the book and the way certain people or groups are presented. Whether To Kill a Mockingbird as a narrative outshines the issue it presents is a debatable argument. However, I believe that the narrative of the novel supports the concerns exhibited for numerous reasons. In what follows, some of these are presented: the historical